Don't say it out loud.

Whenever my hairdresser tells me something that is going well, she prefaces it with, "I don't want to say this out loud, but . . . " and then gives me the good news. It goes like this: "I don't want to say this out loud but, my son is sleeping through the night." Or, "I lost 5 pounds -- I shouldn't have said that out loud!"

She fears that saying something out loud will jinx it.

It's her thing and it's kinda charming. Silly, I've always thought, but charming nevertheless.

Only, now I'm thinking it might not be so silly. See, I recently wrote about how great! and positively super-duper! this whole pregnancy and running while pregnant thing has been going. I probably shouldn't have said that out loud. Or written it, as the case may be.

Since that post, it's been tough to get my runs in. In the last week I ran a only 14.9 miles and my last run was the pits. I haven't had such a cruddy run in a long time.

There were a number of things working against me: Owen was away all weekend and I was desperate for a run when he got home yesterday around 2:30 so I headed straight out. It was hot. And sunny. And I don't think I had had enough to drink. And I was beat from the weekend.

So the run was crud. Full on crud. My legs were heavy. My belly was bouncing more than ever. I had to pee. My breathing was off and my pace was slow. After 3.5 miles I called it a run and a week.

Today, I'm taking the advice I've been giving my new runners and putting that cruddy run behind me. And hoping that maybe saying it out loud will jinx it. Wouldn't it be nice if you could jinx your cruddy runs? If you have that power, can you send it my way?

I hope everyone had a great weekend full of non-cruddy runs! Enjoy the week!

~ Felice

CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge spectator report

Yesterday evening, with temperatures creeping into the mid-80s, Conal and I made our way to the Empire State Plaza to cheer for Owen in the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge. The 3.5-mile race is a local version of the Corporate Challenge and it attracts a huge crowd:

There were over 8600 runners signed up for the race, which made for crowded conditions on the streets of Albany!

Conal and I found Owen, after struggling to make our way through the traffic (what should have been a 15-20 minute trip took 45!).

We wished Owen good luck and he took off to line up. Then we met up with a friend so I could watch her son while she ran the race. While the runners were off sweating on the streets, the boys and I ran around the plaza:

OK, they did most of the running and I did most of the chasing and the yelling, "boys, wait!" but you get the idea. After 17 or so minutes of free-range running, we booked it to the finish line to watch the the runners come in. The winner crossed the line in 17:35 (whoa!) and I have to admit it was exciting to watch the speedy runners. Normally, I'm in the race so I don't get to see the top finishers and I always enjoy it.

We stood at the sidelines to watch Owen run to the finish and then headed back to our meeting spot so the boys could tackle each other for about a solid half hour. They never got tired of tackling. Except for when they shook it up a bit and played some sort of Sumo wrestler type thing. Bored, they were not!

It was a hectic evening but nice to see so many people out running. I'm sure there were many people who only run this one race each year and I think, good for them! Maybe they'll start to run more, who knows?

Now, we're gearing up for the weekend. It is supposed to be really hot up here -- feeling like summer!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

~ Felice

PS: I have a B-natal Therapops giveaway going on here.

Halfway.

Twenty weeks! That's five months -- I'm five months pregnant. Wow.

That means I am halfway through the pregnancy. I don't want to jinx things but, man, this pregnancy has been moving along. And smoothly, too. I've been feeling great! How lucky am I? Let's hope the luck continues . . .

At the halfway mark I have:

• Gained 13 pounds
• Gone up two cup sizes (bra)
• Fully embraced maternity clothes
• Continued to run in my regular running shorts
• Resorted to walking up my hills on occasion (but can often run them)
• Run two races: A 5.7-miler in 50:25 and a 3.5-miler in 29:59
  
• Given up sit ups, but still do some push ups
• Consumed more butter than any one person probably should AND
• Learned the gender of my little one

Yup, yesterday I went for my 20 week ultrasound and spent an hour+ watching my little one on the monitor. The doctor checked out the brain and heart and kidneys and the other organs and bones. Everything looked great. All the fingers and toes were there and the legs looked like strong running legs.

The doctor also told us the gender. I was dying to know. Do you want to know?

Oh, just indulge me. Tell me you do! Thank you, you're kind.

So . . .


we're having another BOY!



That's right, you'll be able to call me the Happy Runner Mama of Two Boys soon. Well, in about 20 weeks. Or 18.5 if things follow the pattern of last time (I know they often don't but, I can hope).

Two boys.

I'm excited. I'm ready.

Thanks for reading, everyone. Have a great day!

~ Felice

Practice run.

This afternoon was the big "run the course" run for my running group. The idea was to meet at the starting line of the 5K, walk the first quarter mile to warm up, and then run the rest of the course. For my new runners, this would be their longest run ever. It was a big deal!

We lucked out with perfect weather. And we lucked out because all of the new runners were able to make it. I really wanted everyone to have a chance to get a feel for the course and run the distance as a group so I was happy when I learned everyone could make it!

So, how did they do? In a word: Awesome. Really! We walked the warm up and then we were off and running. I pointed out water stops and where each kilometer and mile marker will be. Since Darlene was able to join us, she and I shared some tips and information that I hope will make the race less intimidating and more just plain fun for everyone.

One of the best parts for me was when we passed the 3 mile mark and were heading toward what will be the finish line, two of the new runners just took off and sped to the end! Even though it was a practice run, they felt it! They had the itch to let their legs fly and off they went. It was very, very cool.

For the most part, the runners finished the 3.1 miles in about 36 minutes. I'm so proud of them all.

Here's the group post-run:

Janis, Jen M., me, Jen F., Bridget, Lisa, Darlene

Two things about the picture: 1) That's the New York State Capitol building behind us (it's an incredible building) and 2) Check out my belly! I've popped out so much in the past two weeks :-)

In other news, I find out the sex of my baby Monday morning. Couldn't be more excited!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

~ Felice

PS: The Subway gift card giveaway ends Monday at 11:59pm EST. Don't forget to enter!